Sudanese journalists freed after months in RSF custody

Five Sudanese journalists have been released from detention held by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nyala, according to the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate. The women were reportedly arrested in February after participating in a workshop focused on women’s rights and peacebuilding. Their release follows sustained pressure from international human rights organizations and media bodies concerned about their welfare and lack of legal representation during their time in custody.

Abdelmoneim Abu Idris, chairperson of the syndicate, stated that the detainees were held without clear justification and faced severe conditions. He noted that two of the women suffered significant health issues, including weight loss and recurring fevers, due to a lack of adequate medical care. The syndicate highlighted that the journalists were unable to contact their families or legal counsel from the time of their arrest until their recent release.

Conditions in Regional Detention Facilities

According to information provided to the syndicate, the journalists were held alongside large numbers of other detainees in poor conditions. Abu Idris described the environment as lacking basic medical services and noted that the restrictions on communication with outside parties persisted for months. The syndicate has not yet been able to speak directly with the women since their release due to communication difficulties in the region, though their reported physical state suggests a prolonged period of hardship.

Targeting of Media Professionals

The arrest of these journalists appears linked to their participation in advocacy activities related to women’s rights and peace processes. Abu Idris suggested that such work may have attracted the attention of the RSF, which has faced repeated allegations of abuses against women during the ongoing conflict. He warned that many journalists in RSF-controlled areas face intimidation, detention, and violence, noting that displaying a press card at checkpoints could result in questioning or assault.

The release of the women occurs as the humanitarian crisis in Sudan deepens in the fourth year of war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. The conflict has devastated educational institutions, with approximately five million children currently out of school. Many universities remain closed, and families with the means to do so have sought refuge in neighboring countries to ensure their children can continue their education.

Diminishing Hope for Peace

Despite periodic reports of possible negotiations between the warring sides, Abu Idris expressed concern that many Sudanese have lost confidence in peace efforts. He stated that both sides appear determined to pursue their own conditions for ending the conflict, leading to a pervasive sense of hopelessness among the population. The syndicate also raised concerns that Sudan’s crisis is receiving limited international attention despite mass displacement, widespread detention, and continuing humanitarian needs.